Summary
On July 02, 2016, a Piper PA 22-160 (N8130D) was involved in an accident near Harrisonburg, VA. The accident resulted in 1 serious injury, 1 minor injury. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: The pilot's loss of directional control during takeoff in gusting crosswind conditions.
The pilot/owner of the single-engine tailwheel airplane was attempting to depart from a private turf runway. During the takeoff, a gust of wind contacted the airplane from the left side, and it veered to the right. The airplane's right wing and propeller then struck a fence post. The pilot tried to fly the airplane back to the runway, but it impacted terrain and slid into a tree. The pilot reported there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane. Examination of the wreckage revealed substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. The recorded weather at an airport located about 15 miles from the accident site, about the time of the accident, included a left quartering headwind at 9 knots.
This accident is documented in NTSB report ERA16CA239. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N8130D.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's loss of directional control during takeoff in gusting crosswind conditions.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
The pilot/owner of the single-engine tailwheel airplane was attempting to depart from a private turf runway. During the takeoff, a gust of wind contacted the airplane from the left side, and it veered to the right. The airplane's right wing and propeller then struck a fence post. The pilot tried to fly the airplane back to the runway, but it impacted terrain and slid into a tree. The pilot reported there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane. Examination of the wreckage revealed substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. The recorded weather at an airport located about 15 miles from the accident site, about the time of the accident, included a left quartering headwind at 9 knots.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ERA16CA239